pinochle

[ pee-nuhk-uhl, -nok- ]

noun

1. a popular card game played by two, three, or four persons, with a 48-card deck.
2. a meld of the queen of spades and the jack of diamonds in this game.

pinochle

/ ˈpiːnʌkəl /

noun

1. a card game for two to four players similar to bezique
2. the combination of queen of spades and jack of diamonds in this game

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinochle¹

1860–65, Americanism; < Swiss German Binokel, Binoggel < Swiss French binocle literally, pince-nez ( binocle ¹ ), probably adopted as synonym of the less current French besicles spectacles, folk-etymological alteration of bezigue bezique

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinochle¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

But there are many things that bring her joy: a tight network of friends, some kept since her days at Howard, others made recently over fiercely competitive rounds of the card game pinochle.

From Washington Post

Whatever the task — from roasting peanuts for his grandfather’s pinochle buddies to building a tool shed from scratch — it had to be done right.

From Los Angeles Times

He spends much of his time watching any one of his six grandkids or playing pinochle and dominoes.

From Washington Post

I was passing out screwdriver drinks to my parents’ friends as they gathered at various folding card tables to play the card game pinochle.

From Seattle Times

Now, Ms. Platt said, “I would love to find someone who plays a good game of pinochle.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• poker
• roulette